Balance of Trade came out in February 2004, Trade Secret in November 2013, and Fair Trade in May 2022.
Despite this spread — 9 years between each title; 18 between the first book and the third — they hang together remarkably well, tracing Jethri Gobelyn from unwanted youngest aboard Looper ship Gobelyn’s Market to a trader with both Terran and Liaden credentials, who achieved what no other Terran had done to date — crossed over to the Liaden side of trade, learned the culture, the language, and the method, ‘prenticed to, then adopted by, Master Trader Norn ven’Deelin of the great Liaden tradeship Elthoria, who is herself something of a force of nature.
Jethri’s story is set about 200 Standards back from the “present day” Liaden stories, at a time when Terrans and Liadens are even less easy with each other than they are “now.” The culture clash is believable; Jethri is himself likeable, and by necessity a quick study, as Master ven’Deelin has no hesitation at all about throwing him into the deep end of the pool, and telling him that she expects to him to present himself, dry and dressed, at a diplomatic dinner in two hours, ship-time.
I like the characters, especially the master traders — Master ven’Deelin and her friend and (one gathers) frequent ally in consternation, Rantel pin’Aker. I especially like Master pin’Aker’s trade persona, and his simple delight in bestowing his “little surprises.”
And I especially like that Jethri is starting to take a firm grip on his life and act from his own necessities.
For the good, of course, of the trade.